Ange Postecoglou’s bonus for winning Europa League revealed as Tottenham lose star

Alongside making Australian football history, Ange Postecoglou will be $4.13m richer if he leads Tottenham a drought-breaking trophy win. But his job has just been made that much harder.

Alongside making Australian football history, Ange Postecoglou will be £2m ($4.13m) richer if he leads Tottenham to the Europa League trophy in next week’s final against Manchester United.

The London Telegraph report Postecoglou will receive a seven-figure bonus if Tottenham wins its first European trophy in four decades.

But the Australian manager has already been dealt a blow ahead of the showpiece match in Bilbao, with creative midfielder Dejan Kulusevski ruled out after undergoing surgery on his knee.

Kulusevski suffered the injury in Sunday’s 2-0 loss at home to Crystal Palace after being caught by Marc Guehi and was substituted in the 19th minute.

Postecoglou provided a mixed assessment post-match, but further scans have shown the Swedish playmaker required surgery.

“We can confirm that Dejan Kulusevski suffered an injury to his right patella in our Premier League fixture against Crystal Palace last weekend,” a Tottenham statement said.

“Following further specialist consultation, the midfielder has undergone surgery today (Wednesday) and will commence his rehabilitation with our medical staff immediately.”

Midfielder James Maddison was last week ruled out for the rest of the season.

It has been an injury blighted season for the London club, which has suffered a club-record 20 losses in their Premier League campaign. They currently sit 17th on the table, one spot behind United.

Tottenham have not won a trophy since the 2008 League Cup, and have not tasted European glory since winning the UEFA Cup in 1984.

Originally published as Ange Postecoglou’s bonus for winning Europa League revealed as Tottenham lose star